"I'm much too young to feel this damned old." Garth Brooks

Menu

Prioritizing the 60 Blog

Make yourself a priority once in a while. It’s not selfish. It’s necessary.

How often do you do things just for yourself? Maybe have a pedicure. Sit on the beach and do nothing. Sit at a coffee shop and catch up on a magazine or four. (I did that today!) Do what you need for yourself everyday and make sure you get it.

Write your priority list. Did you include things like grocery shopping, getting an oil change, working, kids’ soccer practice, making a Halloween costume. Where are you on that list? Last? Why are you last?

We all believe there are so many things on our list that we’re convinced we need MORE time, more hands, and more days during the week. The priority list seems endless. We often feel we have to keep everything and everyone together. For years, we’ve all thought that, if things weren’t taken care of in a timely manner, everything would surely fall apart.

It’s sad but it’s true. We will neglect ourselves and think nothing of it. Many times, we feel guilty for taking time out for ourselves because somehow, we think we could utilize that time elsewhere. We think it’s selfish.

We all have 24 hours in every day. If you’re not worth at least 60 minutes everyday, maybe you want to reevaluate your priorities. At the end of the day, it’s not about having time, it’s about making time.

Acknowledge you are worth it: Don’t feel guilty about making time for yourself. It’s not selfish. It’s the most loving and responsible thing you can do for you. Logically, we know we’re good to no one if we’re stressed, tired, and being pulled in too many directions.

Give yourself a minimum of 15 minutes a day: Schedule that time for you. Create an alert on your phone to remind you it’s your time. In that time slot, do something that allows you to release the stress. Take a walk, exercise, journal, read or just relax with some deep breathing exercises.

Manage your time: It’s important to know how you’re spending your time. Are you managing your time wisely or just making it up as you go along? Make an hourly assessment of your day. Look for opportunities where you can maximize your schedule. You may need to shift some things around. Be willing to do what it takes to manage your time more effectively.

Learn to say “no”: As much as we would like to, we simply cannot do everything for everybody. By saying “no,” you avoid over-extending yourself. It’s not selfish. Instead, it’s acknowledging that you are a priority.

Commit: Don’t reschedule or cancel your “me” time. If it’s a priority, then everything else must be scheduled around that time you carve out for yourself. When you make your priority list, set aside specific times that you need to get your daily tasks done including your “me” time. Stick to the schedule! If you don’t make you a priority, who will? (Source: betterchoices.co)